Adults

Welcome to the Stratford Library Adult Department.

 

 

  • February Adult Programs

    NOTE: Tax filing season begins January 26, click here for more information.

    FEATURED PROGRAM:

     

    ADULT WINTER READING 2026 “Reading is Snow Much Fun”
    January 20 to February 17, 2026
    Entering is easy! Let us know what you are reading (title and author) along with your name and contact info. Call 203.385.4164, or email slaask@stratfordlibrary.org, or contact us on social media (Facebook or Instagram). Enter to win gift cards and more!
    CLICK HERE to record your entries online.

     

    CAREER & TECH HELP:

    Career Coach: JOB SEARCH HELP ON THE CAREER COACH
    Tuesday, February 10 | 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm | Career Coach Bus parks on Main Street near the library front entrance.
    Are you ready to take the next step in your career but feel lost in the world of job searching? Stop in to the “Job Search” session and equip yourself with the knowledge, skills, and resources you need to land your dream job!
    The same material is covered in both of today’s classes:
    Register HERE for 10am-12pm session
    Register HERE for 1-3pm session

     

    BOOK DISCUSSIONS:

    Monday Morning Buzz
    Monday, February 2 | 11am | Lovell Room
    Stop in to hear what’s new, what’s hot, and what books are creating a buzz! Staff will lead an informal discussion of books, movies and more. Share what you’re reading and watching and hear from others!

    Little Gems Book Discussion
    Wednesday, February 11 | 11am | Lovell Room
    Join our next “Little Gems” book discussion of Clara Reads Proust by Stephane Carlier, a tender and witty coming-of-age story about the power of literature to inspire new beginnings, peppered with a cast of quirky characters and a unique heroine.
    Copies available at the Checkout Desk.
    Registration required

    Book Over Coffee
    Wednesday, February 25 | 12 noon | Lovell Room
    The Names
    by Florence Knapp – Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of Cora’s and her young son’s lives, shaped by her choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing.
    Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.

    Heated Rivalry Book Discussion
    Wednesday, February 25 | 6:30pm | Two Roads Brewing Company
    We are going to the Cottage!! Come join our Heated Rivalry book discussion at Two Roads on Wednesday, February 25th at 6:30pm. 18 and over.
    Copies available on Hoopla.
    Registration required


    CREATE:

    Knit Wits
    Wednesday,  February 4 & 18 | 6pm | Lovell Room
    Join the library’s drop-in knitting program! Also crochet! Make new friends, get tips and share ideas while working on your own projects.
    Held every other Wednesday evening 6:00-7:30pm.

    Crocheting
    Wednesday, February 11 | 6pm | Children’s Program Room
    Ages 9+ (adults and teens welcome).
    Learn basic crochet stitches like single and double chain or bring questions about your current project. This class is perfect for both beginners and others looking to advance their skills. Materials provided.
    Registration required

     

    Continue reading →
  • January Adult Programs

    FEATURED PROGRAMS:

    JIGSAW PUZZLE COMPETITION – Two Sessions
    Saturday, January 3 | Lovell Room
    Are you ready to puzzle? Join our speed puzzle competition!
    There will be a morning competition session (10 am-12:30 pm) and an afternoon competition session (2:15 pm to 4:30 pm), please only sign up for one.
    There will also be a puzzle swap in the lobby, beginning at 1pm.
    Create your team of 3-5 people (ages 12+) to compete to complete a 500 piece puzzle (provided by the Library) in the shortest time.
    You will need to register your team before the event. Please choose one person to register your team for the competition; they should list the other team members on the registration form. Team names and themes encouraged!

    PROPAGATION STATION – Houseplant Swap
    Thursday,  January 29 | 6pm | Lobby
    Join our houseplant cutting swap! Bring cuttings from your houseplant to our Propagation Station and trade plant babies. It’s a great chance to share your love for plants, connect with fellow enthusiasts, exchange tips, and grow your indoor garden. All plant lovers from beginners to experts are welcome!
    Registration required

     

    CAREER & TECH HELP:

    Career Coach: RESUMES & COVER LETTERS
    Monday, January 13 | 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm | Career Coach Bus parks on Main Street near the library front entrance.
    Make your resume shine and position yourself to stand out in the crowd of job-seekers. Don’t forget to bring a copy of your current resume so you can get tips to create a powerful, up-to-date document to land your dream job interview!
    Register HERE for 10am-12pm session
    Register HERE for 1-3pm session

     

    BOOK DISCUSSIONS:

    Monday Morning Buzz
    Monday, January 5 | 11am | Lovell Room
    Stop in to hear what’s new, what’s hot, and what books are creating a buzz! Staff will lead an informal discussion of books, movies and more. Share what you’re reading and watching and hear from others!

    Little Gems Book Discussion
    Wednesday, January 14 | 11am | Lovell Room
    Join the adult book discussion of BEOWULF, using the 2020 translation by Maria Dahvana Headley, a new, feminist translation of Beowulf by the author of the much-buzzed-about novel The Mere Wife.  Sure, this classic might be tough going, but won’t it be fun to brag to friends & family that you kicked off the New Year by reading and discussing Beowulf?!!
    Copies available at the Checkout Desk.
    Registration required

    Books on Tap Goes on Tour
    Tuesday, January 20 | 7:00pm | Location: TBA
    Join us for a casual and unique book discussion. Open to anyone with a love of reading and a healthy appetite for good company!
    Every meeting will be at a new location, so each gathering offers something fresh and a chance to explore Stratford.
    This month we will discuss MEMORIAL DAYS by Geraldine Brooks, a heartrending and beautiful memoir of sudden loss and a journey towards peace, from the bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of  Horse.
    Copies available at the Checkout Desk.

    Book Over Coffee
    Wednesday, January 28 | 12 noon | Lovell Room
    IN COLD BLOOD by Truman Capote
    The most famous true crime novel of all time “chills the blood and exercises the intelligence” (The New York Review of Books)–and haunted its author long after he finished writing it. On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues.
    Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.


    CREATE:

    Unwind Your Mind
    Monday, January 5 | 6pm | Lovell Room
    Drop in the first Monday of the month and unwind from your day.
    There will be coloring supplies, a big puzzle to work on, craft supplies to play around with, and snacks! Do your own thing or work together, it’s all good.

    Knit Wits
    Wednesday,  January 7 & 21 | 6pm | Lovell Room
    Join the library’s drop-in knitting program! Also crochet! Make new friends, get tips and share ideas while working on your own projects.
    Held every other Wednesday evening 6:00-7:30pm.

    Crocheting
    Wednesday, January 14 | 6pm | Children’s Program Room
    Ages 9+ (adults and teens welcome).
    Learn basic crochet stitches like single and double chain or bring questions about your current project. This class is perfect for both beginners and others looking to advance their skills. Materials provided.
    Registration required

     

    Continue reading →
  • December Adult Programs

    FEATURED PROGRAMS:

    CLOTHESLINE OF COMFORT
    November 24 thru December 16 | Library Lobby
    Help the Stratford Library collect gloves, scarves, and hats for adults, teens, and children in need. Items can be handmade or store bought (keep the tags on). Please, no used items. Donations will be given to the South End Community Center. Donations accepted 11/24-12/16.
    Thank you for your support!

    Young Adult Job & Resource Info Session
    Wednesday, December 10 | 3pm | Lovell Rooms
    Join The WorkPlace’s Platform to Employment Youth Initiative to learn about :
    – Paid Training and Work Experience Opportunities
    – Job Placement Assistance
    – Industry recognized certifications and credentials
    – Career guidance into manufacturing, healthcare, IT, hospitality, skilled trades, entrepreneurship & more!
    – Supportive Services (Transportation, work attire, etc.)
    Ages 18-26. High School Diploma Required

    uCreate: Hour of Code
    Thursday, December 11 | 6:30pm | Lovell Room
    Coding is for everyone! Celebrate Computer Science Education Week with uCreate’s annual hour-long introduction to computer science featuring fun coding activities through Code.org, Ozobot challenges, a chance to try uCreate’s new RVR+ robot, and prizes. All skill levels welcome. Open to: grades 5 – adult; anyone age 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian (who should also register if participating). Registration opens on 11/26.
    Registration Required

    Teen/uCreate Holiday Wrap-It-Up
    Wednesday, December 17 | 5pm | Lobby
    Holiday Gift Wrapping! Would you like some help wrapping your holiday gifts? Our teen & uCreate teen volunteers will do your wrapping while you enjoy some holiday treats while you wait for your packages & stop by our craft table to create your own Cricut Holiday Card or Gift Tag. Oh, this is all free! Bring in your own wrap or use ours while supplies last.
    No Registration

     

    HOLIDAY CONCERTS:

    JOY TO THE WORLD! 
    Sunday, December 7 | 2pm | Lovell Room
    Judy Handler & Mark Levesque return to the library for a special holiday concert! “Joy to the World” – special arrangements of Christmas & Hanukkah music for guitar & mandolin.

    NEW ENGLAND GUITAR SOCIETY
    Sunday, December 14 | 2pm | Lovell Room
    Annual holiday concert series continues with the return of NEGS to the Library.

    LARA HERSCOVITCH, former State Troubadour of Connecticut
    Tuesday, December 16 | 7pm | Lovell Room
    Singer/songwriter-Lara Herscovitch and pianist David Childs offer a holiday program.

    STEFANO RUSSO
    Sunday, December 21 | 2pm | Lovell Room

     

    TALKS:

    Virtual talk: JANE AUSTEN’S SANDITON: From Unfinished Swan Song to British Costume Drama
    Thursday, December 4 | 6pm | via Zoom
    PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Hosted by Stratford Library, Hamden Public Library, and Cheshire Public Library.
    Commemorating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday on Dec. 16, 2025, join author, former UK resident, and Anglophile Claire Evans for a look at Austen’s final, unfinished manuscript and its path from family heirloom to a fully imagined costume drama, airing on American PBS. Learn about the real-life people and locations that informed Austen’s last work before her untimely death at age 41, as well as how the seeds of her ideas came to life on the small screen.
    Register Here

    Talk: THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT!
    Monday, December 8 | 6:30pm | Lovell Room
    When the sun sets and night is upon us, all sorts of critters emerge from their hiding places and begin to forage, hunt—even play! From the Opossum to the Porcupine to the Great Horned Owl, these creatures can teach us lots about the animal world if we just watch and listen. Hear more from Master Wildlife Conservationist Ginny Apple as she talks about these animals, their habits, their howls and their homes.

      

    CAREER & TECH HELP:

    Career Coach: Job Search Help
    Tuesday, December 9 |  10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm | Career Coach Bus parks on Main Street near the library front entrance.
    Are you ready to take the next step in your career but feel lost in the world of job searching? Stop in to the “Job Search” session and equip yourself with the knowledge, skills, and resources you need to land your dream job!.
    The same materials are covered in both sessions today.
    Register HERE for 10am-12pm session
    Register HERE for 1-3pm session


    BOOK DISCUSSIONS:

    Monday Morning Buzz
    Monday, December 1 | 11am | Lovell Room
    Stop in to hear what’s new, what’s hot, and what books are creating a buzz! Staff will lead an informal discussion of books, movies and more. Share what you’re reading and watching and hear from others!

    BOOK ON TOUR (BOT) – New name, same lively discussion!
    Books, Brews, and Bantor
    Tuesday, December  9 | 7pm to settle, 7:30pm to talk
    Join us at the Location in Stratford, CT TBD ASAP. We will meet at 7:00pm and then start our discussion at 7:30pm.
    We will be discussing Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson. An unexpected road trip across America brings a family together, in this raucous and heartfelt new novel from the bestselling author of Nothing to See Here.
    Copies available at the Checkout Desk.

    DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT Book Discussion
    Wednesday, December 10 | 11am | Lovell Room
    Come early for socializing and snacks. Bring your favorite cookies, if you like. Then join the adult book discussion of All the Beauty in the World: the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley. Ever wonder what it’s like “behind the scenes at the museum”? Bringley’s memoir brings together his grief for his brother, his own pivot to becoming a museum guard in response to the loss, and the comfort found through his job and the art
    Copies available at the Checkout Desk
    Registration required

    BOOK OVER COFFEE
    Wednesday, December 17 | 12 noon | Lovell Room
    Join us for a discussion of The Floating Feldmans by Elyssa Friedland. A family vacation dredges up a boatload of trouble in the next witty, insightful novel from the acclaimed author of The Intermission.
    Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.

     

    CREATE:

    Unwind Your Mind
    Monday, December 1 | 6pm | Lovell Room
    Drop in the first Monday of the month and unwind from your day. There will be coloring supplies, a big puzzle to work on, craft supplies to play around with, and snacks! Do your own thing or work together, it’s all good.

    Knit Wits
    Wednesday,  December 3 & 17 | 6pm | Lovell Room
    Join the library’s drop-in knitting program! Also crochet! Make new friends, get tips and share ideas while working on your own projects.
    Held every other Wednesday evening 6:00-7:30pm.

    Crocheting
    Wednesday, December 10 | 6pm | Children’s Program Room
    Ages 9+ (adults and teens welcome).
    Learn basic crochet stitches like single and double chain or bring questions about your current project. This class is perfect for both beginners and others looking to advance their skills. Materials provided.
    Registration required

     

    MOVIES:

    MONDAY MATINEES

    The Naked Gun
    Monday, December 8 | 12pm | Lovell Room
    Committed to living up to the standard set by his dad for L.A.’s elite police unit, Frank Drebin, Jr. (Liam Neeson) has his biggest challenge when the tech breakthrough known as the P.L.O.T. Device gets stolen-and he has to juggle the schemes of evil billionaire Richard Cane (Danny Huston) and the attentions of sultry crime writer Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson). Akiva Schaffer’s riotous recapturing of ZAZ’s firehose comic sensibilities co-stars Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, CCH Pounder.
    Rated PG-13, 85 minutes

    Continue reading →

Read More…

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 10am - 8pm
Friday & Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 5pm (October - May)